Chapter 8

贾宝玉寄缘识金锁

薛宝钗巧合认通灵

While Xifeng enjoys her entertainment, Baoyu surreptitiously decides to see Baochai in Pear Tree Court, who has been ill. He is detained by two literary gentlemen who have been with Zheng, and by the Clerk of Stores and several foremen. Pan is out and Aunt Xue shows him in; Baochai is better. Baochai is fascinated by Baoyu’s jade, and Oriole 莺儿 remarks on the similarity between the inscription on the jade and that on Baochai’s necklace. Baoyu likes the fragrance of her medicine and jokingly asks to try some.

Daiyu also arrives, and regrets that she chose to go when Baoyu was there also, but it is snowing so neither leaves, and they have tea. They then have wine, but Baoyu’s old Nanny Li 李嬷嬷 worries that Baoyu shouldn’t have any. Baoyu asks for his wine cold, shocking the Xues. Baoyu is invited to stay for supper, and the night if he gets too drunk. He is tired, and leaves with Daiyu after eating. They go to see Grandmother Jia, who sends Baoyu away to rest from all the drink. When he returns, he finds an angry Skybright 晴雯, who had prepared his ink and paper for him in the morning for him to write just three characters and rush off. Daiyu admires his calligraphy, and Baoyu snaps at Skybright for giving the best tea to Nanny Li. Aroma admonishes Baoyu.

Qin Zhong arrives to pay his respects to Grandmother Jia, and is invited to stay when he needs to, as he lives so far away. Qin Zhong’s father had been about to try and get Qin admitted to the school, as Dairu 代儒, the tutor, was a leading scholar. His father is not rich, but had been able to get enough money together.